After hearing Bobwhite out at Iverson Spit on Camano Island about 6 weeks ago, I today had another encounter with one East of Stanwood, near exit 215 off of I-5. I nearly stepped on one that was standing where the edge of the pavement meets the grass on Village Road, a couple hundred yards west of the intersection of 40th Ave. NW.

I stopped and looked at it at a distance of about 6 inches from my foot for about 5 seconds before it scurried off into the grass. I run through this area a couple times a week and have never heard or seen one. The surrounding area is mixed grassland/woodland and some scattered houses along the route. I am wondering where this bird came from. Doesn't seem like a likely release area.